I love this movie so much

Crappy film

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

As a historical war film, THE ALAMO isn't bad at all. It tells an interesting, rarely-covered story in a mostly realistic way, and it has enough workable performances from the lead actors turning legendary figures into real-life characters to make it worth a watch. The main problem with it lies in the existence of the 1960 John Wayne version of the story with the same name; that movie was an epic, full of drama, action, and pathos, and by comparison this is weak sauce indeed.Both films are lengthy but I didn't start to fidget in the Wayne version as I did here. The battle scene in this version, when it comes, is more realistic but less gripping and somehow less violent than in the Wayne version. The casting is a mixed bag too. I like Patrick Wilson but he's just starting out here and has a lot to learn; his performance is much more mannered than in a film like BONE TOMAHAWK. Jason Patric barely registers and Dennis Quaid's role is rather pointless. Best of the lot is Billy Bob Thornton, whose Davy Crockett is a typically offbeat and unique portrayal, but other than that THE ALAMO is merely so-so.

So far, The Alamo (2004) is the most accurate film made about this episode in the history of Mexico and Texas. But it also is full of unforgivable historical mistakes. Many things were changed since the fully Americanized 1960 the Alamo. Is the first time it is shown a preconceived plan from the Unites States to revolutionize Texas, but this film is still very much an Americanized story. They omitted again to almost all fighters in the Alamo and the Revolution of Texas were illegal immigrants and they are still shown as righteous heroes, even with the music in the scenes. Santa Anna was a son of a bitch and that if it is perfectly represented in this film. 1960's The Alamo was 200% Americanized, this one is 85%.Mistakes: *They use the word Texas all the time, even when they show the name of the cities, but Texas was not Texas in 1836. It was the State of Coahuila y Texas. *Santa Anna was not a dictator in 1836, he was constitutional elected president. He ruled Mexico as dictator from 1853 to 1855. *The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was not voided by Santa Anna, it was changed by a Conservative Congress 9 months after the battle of the Alamo. *In Mexico never existed coins with the face of Santa Anna, even when he was dictator, never ever. *The order to kill all the rebels, was an order from the Mexican Congress, not Santa Anna's. Santa Anna just ran anti-piracy law issued by Congress. *Santa Anna's character is an old, when he was 42 years in 1836. *The Mexican army was asleep when Houston attacked; they were not on guard as is shown in this film.Maybe my opinion is not worth much, because I cannot feel sorry for some people who fought for dismember my country after all my country gave to them (land in credit, no taxes, bilingual laws, etc.) if they had remained in their country they had not been killed by an army that only was defending its country. And for those who do not understand, just imagine a group of illegal immigrants along with some legal, creating a revolution in any U.S. state in order to annexing that state to Mexico. Can you understand me now?

It's the third millennium and time for yet another revisionist movie. Most commentators seem to agree that this version of the Alamo siege is the most historically authentic of them all. Well, that's as may be. I'll have to take their word for it. I'm no student of American history.However; it is supposed to be entertainment. It's a movie. It's not billed as a documentary, nor even a docu-drama. If I really want historical accuracy I'll opt for a documentary. Or read scholastic history books (though even they are often inaccurate). When I watch a movie, I want entertainment. I'd like authenticity too - but not at the cost of viewing pleasure.This revisionist piece stars Billy Bob Thornton, along with wooden Mr Quaid. Adequate, but not exactly top drawer. It runs for some 2 hours 17 minutes, but - goodness me - it seems a great deal longer. I felt as though I had sat through the entire '13 days of glory'. I don't believe I have ever experienced a more gloomy, maudlin, self-indulgent piece of theatre. Incidental music assumed the substance of a dirge.There's also a fair share of soul-searching in John Wayne's original epic, but that's offset by spectacle, comedy, and irony in the grand old style of Hollywood sagas. Wayne's 'director's cut' ran for well over 3 hours, but was hacked down to about 2 and a half for its release.I love John Wayne's version. It may be preposterous, over-blown, and have little regard for truth. But it's a truly great movie - lavish, well-paced with progressively-building tension, and beautifully filmed. There's a script that intelligently meets every dramatic turn, with characters that are interesting and varied. And, of course, there's Big John himself - larger than life, full of panache and unique style, and a tremendously capable actor. He's balanced against Richard Widmark's surly, scathing Bowie. And the whole thing is bolted in place by a grand music score from Dimitri Tiomkin. As a movie; it's a classic tour-de-force on par with 'Zulu'.Give me Wayne's romantic mythologising any day. As they say in 'Liberty Vallance' - when the legend becomes truth, print the legend'. Purists are welcome to Billy Bob & Wooden Quaid's revisionism; for me it's just a relentless bore and a half. Despite its presumptions of historical fidelity; I didn't enjoy watching it. And what's the point of that?Not recommended.

I must say, I never was a Billy Bob's fan, but his part as Davey Crockett made me change my opinion. Billy Bob shined in this great film, and his Davey is a real man with his assets and liabilities, with his likes and hates. A true hero of Texas. His violin on the roof before the attack is a deeply moving scene, as well as his last valiant moments. The character of Sam Houston, impeccably performed by great Dennis Quaide, is another big winner. Dennis performs so deeply and so well that I never doubted his integrity and his sincerity. Another great winner is Mr. Echevarria as Santa Anna - excellent portrayal of a malicious dictator, cowardly and treacherous. His subordinates awoke more sympathy, given the valiant deaths of some, but Santa Anna shies too as a great example of a real evil guy. Very good soundtrack and very stunning battle scenes make the film even more splendid, and the sordid scenes of fighting bring to mind all the heroism and valor of Texans. Greatly recommended